In people with Graves disease, a diet consistently low in carbohydrates is associated with thyroid hormone levels remaining within the normal range.

When someone has Graves’ disease, their thyroid hormones get too high, which tells the brain to stop making a hormone that stimulates the thyroid — so that hormone ends up being very low or even missing in blood tests.

Lowering carbohydrate intake decreases thyroid hormone levels in the blood and eliminates symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Foods that raise blood glucose levels are associated with worsening symptoms in people with Graves disease.

Sometimes people can have Graves’ disease and show symptoms like bulging eyes or skin issues even if their thyroid isn’t overactive—this can happen if their thyroid doesn’t work well enough to produce excess hormones, and it means doctors might miss the disease if they only check thyroid levels.

When people with Graves’ disease get their thyroid levels back to normal, their cholesterol might get worse because the overactive thyroid was hiding a cholesterol problem all along.